Molecular survey of Hepatozoon species in lizards from North Africa
João P M C Maia1, D James Harris, Ana Perera
1Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos (CIBIO), Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal. jpmaiapt@gmail.com
The Journal of Parasitology
|April 22, 2011
Abstract:
The prevalence of Hepatozoon parasites in 460 lizards from North Africa was studied by amplification and sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene. The phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA gene provides new insights into the phylogeny of these parasites with multiple genetically distinct lineages recovered. Parasite prevalence differed significantly between lacertid lizards and geckos. Our results show that there is limited host specificity and no clear relation to the geographical distribution of Hepatozoon parasites.
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